1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today. I know 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: God sees you taking this time to learn more about Him, 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: to grow, and to really become all that you've created 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: to be. So know today that God is smiling down 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: on you. We love you this west well, God bless you. 6 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes. And if 7 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please come out and be 8 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:24,439 Speaker 1: a part of one of our services. I promise you 9 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: we'll make you feel right at home. I like to 10 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: start with something funny, and I heard about this pastor 11 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: and song leader that weren't getting along, and it started 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: spilling over into the services. One Sunday, the pastor talked 13 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:41,599 Speaker 1: about being a giver. Afterwards, the song leader got up 14 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: and led the song Jesus paid it all. The next 15 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:48,279 Speaker 1: week he talked about not gossiping. The song leader got 16 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: up and led, I love to tell the story. The 17 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: pastor was so frustrated he resigned. Told his congregation, Jesus 18 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: brought me here and Jesus has taken me away. The 19 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: song leader then lad, what a friend we have in Jesus' 20 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,960 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 21 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: I am what it says, I am. I have what 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,319 Speaker 1: it says I have, I can do what it says 23 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 24 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: of God. I'll boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 25 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 26 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 27 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: about when the water breaks. Years ago, when Victoria was 28 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: pregnant with our first child, she was at a downtown 29 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: office building headed to an appointment. She was in the 30 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: final stages of pregnancy, standing in a crowded elevator, minding 31 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: her own business. All of a sudden, her water broke. 32 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: Water came pouring out on the ground. Victoria was kind 33 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: of embarrassed. She tried to stand back and not affect 34 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: anyone else. But the people on the elevator didn't get upset. 35 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: They weren't paniced thinking something was wrong. They knew the 36 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: water breaking was a sign she was about to give birth. 37 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: They knew it was all a part of the process 38 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:15,119 Speaker 1: that her baby was about to be born. Victoria got 39 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: off the elevator and drove straight to the hospital. Not 40 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: long after that, she gave birth to our son, Jonathan. 41 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: And when the water breaks in your life, when you 42 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: face an unexpected difficulty. You didn't see it coming. You 43 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: were going along being your best. You came down with 44 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: an illness, A relationship didn't work out, the company had 45 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: to lay you off. It's easy to get discouraged and 46 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: think it's never going to get better. Have a new perspective. 47 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 1: When the water breaks, that's a sign you're about to 48 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 1: give birth. God's about to do something new, something that 49 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: you haven't seen. Without the water breaking, you would get stuck. 50 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,239 Speaker 1: You wouldn't reach the fullness of what God had as 51 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 1: in store. And that's what's happened to all of us 52 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: here in Houston. Hurricane Harvey came and our water broke. 53 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: There was a flood, and looking at it on the surface, 54 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: at the damage, it's easy to get discouraged. I think 55 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: that ruined my house, that flooded my car, that disrupted 56 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 1: my life. What you have to remember is the water 57 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: breaking means a birth is coming. The trauma indicates transition 58 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: is on the way. God never brings you out the same, 59 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: He's birthing you into something greater. Your house may have flooded, 60 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 1: but you're going to give birth to a new house, 61 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: an improved house, a remodeled house. God is transitioning you 62 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: into another level. He has new things he wants to birth, 63 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: not just through you, but in you in the difficult times. 64 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: If you'll keep the right attitude, you'll develop a greater strength, 65 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: a greater confidence, a greater trust in God. Don't complain 66 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: because the water broke. Get ready, Favor is coming, Increase 67 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 1: is coming, New levels are coming. What you give birth 68 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: to will be greater than anything that you've lost. You 69 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 1: may have lost your car. You're going to give birth 70 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: to a better car. You may have lost a relationship. 71 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: Somebody walked away. You're going to give birth to a 72 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: better relationship. The company had to downside said they don't 73 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: need you. You were loyal. You didn't see it coming. 74 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 1: Don't get better. God has a better job, in a 75 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:42,559 Speaker 1: higher position, with more influence, more income, more benefits, where 76 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: your gifts can come out in a greater way. Now 77 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: I'm not just encouraging you. I'm prophesying. You're going to 78 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: give birth to something greater than you've imagined. God is 79 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: going to open doors you never dreamed would open, give 80 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 1: you rec sources, opportunities, influence. That is amazing. But the floods, 81 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 1: the disappointments, the betrayals. They are all a part of 82 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: God's plan. Without the water breaking, you can't give birth. 83 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: When we give birth, there will be labor pains. You're 84 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: going to have to push, stretch, be willing to be uncomfortable. 85 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 1: But when you understand it's a part of the process, 86 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: when you realize you can't go to the next level 87 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 1: without the water breaking, then you'll go through it with 88 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: a good attitude. You could be negative complaining. Instead you 89 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 1: have a smile on your face. You have a song 90 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: of praise in your heart, expectancy in your spirit. You 91 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: know the trauma means transition is coming. You know it's 92 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: just a matter of time before you give birth to 93 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 1: the new things God has in store. The process may 94 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: be uncomfortable, but the purpose is worth it. If you 95 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 1: could see where God is taking you, if you could 96 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: see the new things on the horizon, the favor, the influence, 97 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: the opportunities, the friendships, then you wouldn't be bothered by 98 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: what you're going through. Paul said, these light afflictions are 99 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 1: for a moment, yet they work in us and eternal 100 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: weight of glory. What you're going through is temporary. The 101 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: birthing process doesn't last forever. The discomfort is for a moment, 102 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: but what you give birth to the blessings, they will 103 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 1: last for a lifetime. And what's interesting is Victoria didn't 104 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: choose where her water broke. If she knew when it 105 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 1: was going to break, she would have stayed at home 106 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 1: had it all planned out, been prepared. But you can't 107 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: choose where your water breaks. You can't choose when the 108 00:06:56,080 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 1: flood comes, the disappointment, the loss. We can't aside when 109 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: we're going to give birth. That's in God's hands. We 110 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: may not understand it, but God knows what he's doing. 111 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: There is a purpose for every challenge. Most of the 112 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 1: time we can see the challenge, but we can't see 113 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: the purpose. The problem is visible, but the purpose is hidden. 114 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: This is when we have to say, God, I trust you, 115 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: I don't see what you're doing. Doesn't make sense to me. God, 116 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: my house flooded or my child. God, off course, my 117 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: finances went down. God, I don't understand it, but I 118 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: know your ways are better than my ways. My life 119 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: is in your hands, I've learned. God will not mismanage 120 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: your life. He will not allow things to happen that 121 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: don't somehow move you towards your destiny. He can see 122 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: things that we can't see. He knows the end from 123 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: the beginning, and there are times it feels like God's 124 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: taken us the wrong direction. We were about to pay 125 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 1: the car off, and the flood hits. We have to 126 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: start all over. Somebody spread rumors and you didn't get 127 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 1: the promotion. We think, God, where were you? You could 128 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: have stopped the flood. God, you could have kept me 129 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: from this rejection. What we can't see are the disappointments, 130 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 1: the betrayals, the bad breaks are all a part of 131 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: God's plan. We don't like it. It's uncomfortable, but without 132 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 1: them we wouldn't reach the fullness of our destinies. We 133 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 1: see this in the scripture with Joseph. He was doing 134 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: the right thing, but he was betrayed by his brothers, 135 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 1: sold into slavery, falsely accused by a lady, put in 136 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 1: prison for thirteen years. It was one bad break after another, 137 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: But one day Joseph interpreted a dream for the Pharaoh. 138 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: Pharaoh was so pleased he put Joseph in charge of 139 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: the food supply in all of Egypt. Joseph was second 140 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 1: in command of the nation, one of the most powerful 141 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: people of that day. But why did God allow Joseph 142 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: to go through all these difficulties. It didn't seem fair. 143 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: But God wasn't just making his life miserable. He had 144 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: a plan. God knew years later there would be a 145 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: famine in the land. Egypt would be the only place 146 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: that would have food. God had to put someone on 147 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 1: the inside of Egypt that would be favorable to the 148 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: Israelites so they could survive. So God ordain Joseph to 149 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 1: be betrayed. He ordained him to be falsely accused, ordained 150 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: him to be put in prison. That whole time, God 151 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 1: was ordering his steps. Yet if we looked at the 152 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: steps individually, we would think, wow, Joseph, you got a 153 00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: raw deal. God must not like you. The truth is 154 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 1: God trusted Joseph so much. He knew he could count 155 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:09,199 Speaker 1: on Joseph to go through the things he didn't understand 156 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: with a good attitude. If Joseph would have become bitter, angry, 157 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: held a grudge, he would have gotten stuck. He wouldn't 158 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: have made it to the throne. When you face things 159 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: you don't understand that are not fair, be a Joseph. 160 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: Dare to believe that God is in complete control. Dare 161 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: to believe that he's still directing your steps. It's all 162 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: a part of the plan to get you to where 163 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: you're supposed to be. Now. I know you can trust God, 164 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: but can God trust you? Can He trust you with 165 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: difficulties to be a Joseph, to keep a good attitude 166 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:52,560 Speaker 1: even when life doesn't seem fair. Sometimes we're trying to 167 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: pray away what God has ordained. Joseph could have prayed, God, 168 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: please keep my brothers from betraying me. His prayer wouldn't 169 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: have been answered, not because God didn't love him, but 170 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 1: because God can see the big picture. God knew that 171 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: betrayal was an important step that was leading Joseph somewhere amazing. 172 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: Had God kept Joseph from the betrayal, he would have 173 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: kept him from his destiny. God loves you too much 174 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 1: to answer a prayer that's going to keep you from 175 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:31,319 Speaker 1: your purpose when it doesn't happen our way. It's tempting 176 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 1: to get discouraged. God, Why didn't you turn it around? 177 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: Why didn't you answer me? Your way may be more comfortable, 178 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 1: but it will limit how high you can go. That's 179 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: why God won't let us be comfortable all the time. 180 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: There will be seasons of stretching, growing where we're not 181 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: getting our way, where the wrong thing is happening. The 182 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: good news is God has given us strength for every battle, 183 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: grace for every season. There's if nothing you're facing that's 184 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 1: too much for you, you can handle it. You've been equipped, empowered, 185 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 1: and anointed. And here's the key. Just because you have 186 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: difficulties doesn't mean you don't have favor. While Joseph was 187 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: a slave, he had favor with Potterphar, the man that 188 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: he worked for. Potterphar put him in charge of his 189 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: whole house. In the prison, Joseph had favor with the guards. 190 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:30,560 Speaker 1: They put him in charge of the prison. He should 191 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: have been at a disadvantage, but because of the favor 192 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: on his life, it caused him to keep rising to 193 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 1: the top. The scripture says Potterphar saw the Lord was 194 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: with Joseph and gave him success in everything that he did. 195 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: You may be in a storm. Forces are coming against 196 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: you that seem bigger, stronger, more powerful. Stay encouraged. You 197 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: have the favor of God. You can shine even in 198 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: the storm. You can excel even when people are trying 199 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: to push you down. God's favor will cause you to 200 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: overcome what you could not overcome on your own. You 201 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 1: will defeat giants that are bigger, accomplish dreams where you 202 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,600 Speaker 1: didn't have the experience. The favor on your life gives 203 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,960 Speaker 1: you an advantage. I love what David said in Psalm 204 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: thirty God's favor last for a lifetime. The adversity is temporary. 205 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: The favor is permanent. You didn't have favor before the storm. 206 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: Look what happened. You must not have it now. Favor 207 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: doesn't come and go. The right attitude is I'm favored 208 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: in the flood, I'm favored in the hospital. I'm favored 209 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: in the financial difficulty. Favor doesn't leave you. You used 210 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: to have favor, No, you have favor right now. Favor 211 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: is what's going to help you overcome the challenge. Instead 212 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: of thinking, oh man, look what I've been through. It's 213 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: not fair. Turn it father. Thank you for your favor. 214 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 1: Thank you that good breaks are chasing me down. Think 215 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: you that blessings are headed my way. Isaiah said, when 216 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: you go through the flood, you will not drown. When 217 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 1: you go through the fire, you won't be burned. Psalm 218 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: thirty seven says when you're in the famine, you will 219 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 1: have more than enough. Notice the three f's, through the flood, 220 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: through the fire, through the famine. The good news is 221 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: God has one more f It's called favor. When you're 222 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: in the flood, don't complain. Get ready for favor. The 223 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: Psalmist said, we didn't win the victory in our own strength, 224 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: it was because you favored us. In difficult times, remind 225 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: yourself there is something God has put on you that 226 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: no person can stop. No bad break, no sickness, no hurricane, 227 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 1: all the forces of darkness cannot hold you down. You 228 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: have the favor of God. Now, God wouldn't have allowed 229 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: the difficulty if it was going to keep you from 230 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: your destiny. Like Joseph, that difficulty is going to launch 231 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: you into your destiny. Now, quit losing sleep over what 232 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: God ordained. He may not have sent it, but He 233 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: controls the universe. Nothing happens without his permission. If it happened, 234 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: don't get bitter, don't try to figure it out. Stay 235 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: in faith. The favor on your life is going to 236 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: cause you to rise above every obstacle. That opposition is 237 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: going to be what God uses to birth you into 238 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: a new level a new level in your career, in relationships, 239 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: in finances, a new level in the annointing. I've seen 240 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:55,239 Speaker 1: this in my own life every time I've had major increase. 241 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: It came out of a difficult time when my father died. 242 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 1: I lost one of my best friends. I'd worked with 243 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: them seventeen years, behind the scenes, every day, we'd traveled 244 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 1: the world together. Nothing seemed good about my father's death. 245 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: But what I couldn't see was God was using that loss, 246 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: that dark time to birth something new in me. I 247 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: didn't realize it then, but the loss of my father 248 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: was my water breaking. Gifts and talents were birthed in 249 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: me that I didn't know I had now. I wouldn't 250 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: be up here now if my father was still alive. 251 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: I was comfortable behind the scenes. I didn't have to stretch. 252 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 1: But sometimes God will use the storm to push you 253 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: out of the womb. It's because the womb is too small. 254 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: It was designed for a limited time. When the water breaks, 255 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: ready or not, here you come. The key is to 256 00:16:56,840 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 1: come with a good attitude. Come knowing that it's ordained 257 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 1: by God, that it's a part of his plan. Come 258 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 1: knowing that the favor on your life is going to 259 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: cause you to succeed. After all, Joseph went through you 260 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: never read where he complained, where he got sour, where 261 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 1: he blamed people. Deep down, Joseph knew that God was 262 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: in control and he would not mismanage his life. God 263 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: will not allow negative things just so you can go 264 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: through them. He's not up there in heaven thinking, let 265 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 1: me send them a flood and make their lives miserable, 266 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 1: let me take their loved one away, let me cause 267 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: this person to cheat them. God is our heavenly father. 268 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: If you're a parent, you know how much you love 269 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 1: your children, how you go out of your way to 270 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 1: watch after them, protect them, be good to them. God 271 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: is that way, but billions of times more, you are 272 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 1: his most prized possession. There's nothing he cares more about 273 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 1: than you. He knows the number of hair on your head. 274 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: He's closely watching over you. He sees every bad break, 275 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: every difficulty, every unfair situation. When you go through things 276 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 1: you don't understand, you need to remind yourself that your 277 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:22,160 Speaker 1: heavenly father is in control and he has your best 278 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: interest at heart. What you're going through may not feel good, 279 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 1: may not be fair, but God knows what he's doing. 280 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,959 Speaker 1: When he brings you out, you're not going to come 281 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: out the same. You're going to come out better off 282 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 1: than you were before. First Peter five says after you 283 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 1: have suffered a little while. It doesn't say after you've 284 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: suffered your whole life. It says a little while. One 285 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 1: translation says this suffering isn't going to last forever. It 286 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:58,120 Speaker 1: won't be long before this generous God puts you together, 287 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: back on your feet for good. He gets the last word, Yes, 288 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: he does. You may feel like you've been knocked down. 289 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 1: Be encouraged. This generous God is about to put you 290 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: back on your feet for good. Harvey doesn't have the 291 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:21,880 Speaker 1: final say. God has the final say. Harvey is simply 292 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 1: a set up. The sickness, the disappointment, the betrayal. It 293 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,880 Speaker 1: may not make sense to you, but without it, God 294 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: couldn't launch you to a new level. It's setting you 295 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:38,360 Speaker 1: up to give birth to something greater than you can imagine. 296 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:42,919 Speaker 1: The process may be painful, but the purpose will be 297 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: well worth it. One day, you're going to look back 298 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: and see how God used everything that you went through. 299 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,160 Speaker 1: If the flood hadn't come, you wouldn't have met this person. 300 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:55,879 Speaker 1: You wouldn't have moved into this new house, you wouldn't 301 00:19:55,920 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 1: have taken this different job. It's all working for your good. 302 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: Stay in faith. It's a set up. In Acts chapter two, 303 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: the Disciples were all in Jerusalem in the upper room. 304 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,479 Speaker 1: The Holy Spirit came in like a rushing, mighty wind. 305 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 1: It was a great sign of God's blessing and favor. 306 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 1: I'm sure they were excited. They knew God was on 307 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,880 Speaker 1: their side and they were going to do great things. 308 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 1: But in chapter eight, a man named Saul showed up. 309 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: He hated these disciples. He was having them arrested and 310 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 1: put in prison. The scripture says Saul reaked havoc in 311 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: Jerusalem on the church. Havoc is a strong word that 312 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 1: means he turned the city upside down. Things were thrown 313 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:49,000 Speaker 1: into disarray confusion. In the midst of this calamity, a 314 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: young man named Stephen, a follower of Christ, was stoned 315 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 1: to death. Saul was standing right there giving his approval. 316 00:20:57,240 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 1: It's interesting that Saul came to Jerusalem and cause so 317 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 1: much turmoil. Jerusalem means the city of peace. This was 318 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: home to many of the disciples. This is where they 319 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 1: felt secure. They could relax and be at ease. But 320 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: now their city of peace was turned into a city 321 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:22,199 Speaker 1: of chaos. Where was God? A few chapters earlier, he 322 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,919 Speaker 1: sent the rushing mighty wind. It's not like God couldn't 323 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 1: have stopped Saul from wreaking havoc. But God doesn't stop 324 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:34,159 Speaker 1: every difficulty. They're a part of his plan. Because of 325 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,719 Speaker 1: the persecution in Jerusalem, Philip had to go to Samaria. 326 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 1: In Samaria, the scripture says Philip performed all kinds of miracles. 327 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: Great favor was on his life. Blind eyes were open, 328 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:53,640 Speaker 1: the lepers were cured. What's my point, Saul was a 329 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: set up. Saul wreaking Havoc was to push Philip into 330 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 1: this new level of ministry. Sometimes God will allow your 331 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:08,960 Speaker 1: place of peace, your home where you're comfortable, to be disrupted. 332 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 1: That's what's happened to us here in Houston. Now, I'm 333 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:15,439 Speaker 1: not saying that God sends the storms, but God will 334 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:20,160 Speaker 1: allow storms. He will allow Sauls to come along. This 335 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: is where you have to know who God is and 336 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:27,159 Speaker 1: what he's up to. Number One, God is a good God. 337 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: He is for you. Number Two, He's going to use 338 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:35,679 Speaker 1: that discomfort to launch you to a new level. The 339 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: storm is your water breaking. You're about to give birth. 340 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: Like Philip, You're going to see things you've never seen, 341 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:49,360 Speaker 1: accomplish what you've never accomplished. When Saul shows up, when 342 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 1: Harvey hits things that disrupt your place of peace, be 343 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:57,159 Speaker 1: still and know that he is God, he has in 344 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: the palm of his hand. Then let me scent that 345 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 1: storm to harm you, disrupt you. What he didn't realize 346 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 1: is God saw it coming, and he already has a 347 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 1: plan to use it to promote you, to increase you, 348 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: to launch you to a new level. But none of 349 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: us like to be uncomfortable, to be under pressure in 350 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 1: situations that are unfair. The truth is, giving birth is uncomfortable. 351 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: I've been in the delivery room when our children were born. 352 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:33,120 Speaker 1: Victoria is as nice as can be, easy going, fun 353 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:36,480 Speaker 1: to be around. But when she was in labor, when 354 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:40,679 Speaker 1: those contractions hit, I saw a new side of this lady. 355 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,919 Speaker 1: They tell you in the birthing classes beforehand that the 356 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 1: husband is supposed to be the coach and tell the 357 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,560 Speaker 1: wife when to breathe. When I saw how much pain 358 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 1: she was in, I thought, you can breathe whenever you 359 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 1: want to. I'm not gonna tell you what to do. 360 00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: But what's funny. One moment she was in great pain 361 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:04,480 Speaker 1: and uncomfortable, But when she gave birth, when she held 362 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 1: her little son, saw how amazing he was, she forgot 363 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 1: all about the pain. She was so overjoyed, so grateful 364 00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:17,480 Speaker 1: to God. She didn't think about what she had been through. Yes, 365 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,160 Speaker 1: the birthing process can be painful. We don't like it. 366 00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:24,320 Speaker 1: We have to endure. But can I encourage you when 367 00:24:24,359 --> 00:24:26,879 Speaker 1: you give birth to what God has put in you. 368 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 1: When you see the new things He has in store, 369 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: You're not going to remember all the trauma. You're not 370 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: going to think about what didn't work out and how 371 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: unfair it was. When you see your baby, so to speak, 372 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 1: your new house, your child back on course, your health restored. 373 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 1: When you give birth, you're going to be so grateful 374 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 1: to God, so amazed at his goodness. You won't have 375 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 1: time to think about the process. You'll be too caught 376 00:24:55,359 --> 00:25:00,439 Speaker 1: up enjoying the blessings. Now, my challenge, keep looking at ahead. 377 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: Your baby is coming. It may be painful now you 378 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: feel flooded by challenges. Have the right perspective. Your water broke, 379 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:14,960 Speaker 1: that means you're about to give birth. That difficulty is 380 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:19,000 Speaker 1: a setup for God to do something new, something that 381 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: you haven't seen, so you can take new ground for 382 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 1: the kingdom, so you can set a new standard for 383 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:28,920 Speaker 1: your family. You may have been through the flood, through 384 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 1: the fire, and through the famine, but get ready for 385 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 1: the fourth f Favor is coming. What you give birth 386 00:25:36,040 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 1: to is going to be greater than anything that you lost. 387 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 1: This is not the time to be discouraged. This is 388 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:46,480 Speaker 1: the time to stir your faith up. God has not 389 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:50,120 Speaker 1: brought you this far to leave you. The flood may 390 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:54,919 Speaker 1: have interrupted your life, but it did not interrupt your destiny. 391 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: God is still on the throne. Life with Joseph is 392 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: all a part of his plan. You may not understand it, 393 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 1: but God will not mismanage your life. And I believe 394 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:09,280 Speaker 1: and declare for everything that you've lost, God is going 395 00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:12,480 Speaker 1: to give you back more for everything that was unfair. 396 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: You're going to come out better, stronger, healthier, promoted to 397 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:20,960 Speaker 1: a new level of your destiny. In Jesus' name, if 398 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:22,399 Speaker 1: you receive it, can you say it? 399 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:22,640 Speaker 2: Men? 400 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 1: Today, I'd like to give you an opportunity to make 401 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:30,959 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with 402 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:36,680 Speaker 1: me today? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. 403 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,880 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 404 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 405 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:49,159 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, and 406 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:50,760 Speaker 1: keep God first place. 407 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,119 Speaker 2: When God created the world, he did it specifically with 408 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:59,600 Speaker 2: you in mind. He used his words. He spoke everything 409 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 2: into it existence, light, oceans and dry land, plants, sun 410 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:13,760 Speaker 2: and stars, animals, man and woman. Your words have that 411 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:15,240 Speaker 2: same creative power. 412 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: If you want to know what you're going to be 413 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:20,919 Speaker 1: like five years from now, listen to what you're saying 414 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 1: about yourself. You are prophesying your future, and too often 415 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:29,520 Speaker 1: we don't realize we're defeating ourselves with our words. I'll 416 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:33,959 Speaker 1: never get healthy, I'm not attractive, this dreams impossible. Instead 417 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: of limiting your future, why don't you start blessing your future. 418 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 1: If you'll change your words, you can change your world. 419 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 1: I have a new book called Speak the Blessing. You 420 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: want to help you to speak positive, faith filled words. 421 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:49,920 Speaker 1: There are declarations in it that you can make over 422 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:54,120 Speaker 1: your family, your health, your finances, and your future. When 423 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 1: you get your words aligned with what God says, you'll 424 00:27:57,200 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: see his favor in greater ways. 425 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 2: Thank you for your gift of any amount to the ministry. 426 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 2: This month, we want to send you Speak the Blessing. 427 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:09,159 Speaker 2: Send your words in the direction you want your life 428 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 2: to go. You can begin to enjoy a life filled 429 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:17,879 Speaker 2: with freedom, joy, health, success, and creativity as you discover 430 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:22,439 Speaker 2: the authority and power of speaking God's word. Yes, Speak 431 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:26,480 Speaker 2: the Blessing will unlock life changing possibilities that are unlimited. 432 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: When you declare what God says about you. I'm strong, 433 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:34,159 Speaker 1: I'm healthy, I'm favored. You are blessing your lie. I 434 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:37,359 Speaker 1: hope you'll request your copy to day. Remember you can 435 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: watch the services live online every Sunday, download our daily podcast, 436 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:46,040 Speaker 1: watch on YouTube, listen on serious exam. We'll keep you 437 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:47,520 Speaker 1: encouraged and inspired. 438 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Speak the Blessing today. 439 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 2: Visit joeloscene dot com or call eighty eight five six 440 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 2: seven Joel. 441 00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: Our homecoming weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. Some of 442 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 1: you have never been to Lakewood. This is a perfect time. 443 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 1: We'd love to meet you. We'd be honored to have 444 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:08,360 Speaker 1: you and your family